You know hockey season is back, when many are wondering about the status of Corey Potter. Potter is nursing a back injury and that's why he didn't play on Saturday and wasn't on the ice today.

Potter's injury couldn't have come at a worse time for him, because there is lot of competition for the #6, #7 and even #8 spot on the Oilers blueline.

It is obvious that Justin Schultz, Andrew Ference, Ladislav Smid, Jeff Petry and Nick Schultz will make the team. Denis Grebeshkov has the inside track on the sixth slot, while recently-arrived Anton Belov, Philip Larsen, Oscar Klefbom, Taylor Fedun, Brandon Davidson and Corey Potter are battling for the final two spots.

Klefbom and Davidson won't be sitting in the pressbox as the 7th D-man, so they will likely start the season in OKC. Fedun has only played one year of pro hockey, so I'd expect he'll be going down as well.

Belov has a two-way contract, $1.5 million in the NHL, and $70,000 in the AHL, and that plus his late arrival to camp could see him starting in the minors.

If Potter can't get on the ice, then he'll start on the IR, while Larsen and Grebeshkov will battle for the 6th spot. If Potter isn't ready to start the season, that means three of last year's seven D-men won't be on the team. Ryan Whitney is on a tryout in St.Louis, Mark Fistric is in Anaheim and Potter would be on the sidelines. Theo Peckham only played four games last year, but if you include him, then half of their eight D-men are gone.

To be fair none of them played regularly in the top-four, but it is still a significant, and necessary, change over on the blueline.

As the preseason continues in Winnipeg tomorrow and Vancouver on Wednesday, the most intriguing aspect to watch about the blueline is how they are adapting to Dallas Eakins' swarm defence.

The Oilers have two morning practices this morning. These players were on for the first session, and there were whispers they will be playing in Winnipeg on Tuesday, but that isn't 100% confirmed just yet.

Potential Lineup for Winnipeg:

Denis Grebeshkov looked good in the first 25 games on Saturday, but he struggled after that. His conditioning needs to improve, it isn't awful by any stretch, but a great way to improve it is to play right away. The best way to get in game shape is to play games.

Davidson looked very good on Saturday. He'll need more seasoning in the AHL, but right now I'd rank him far ahead of David Musil and Martin Gernat. He's quicker than Musil, and he's more dedicated off the ice than Gernat. It is hard not to cheer for Davidson after his battle with testicular cancer.

Lander needs to get quicker. I like most aspects of his game, but he isn't any quicker than he was last year. He needs to get a half step quicker to become an impactful NHL player.

Eakins' practices are much more intense than I've seen in years. Lots of skating, one-on-one battles and very quick-paced.

I don't mind Eakins changing the decor and pictures inside the Oilers dressing room, because it was time to turn the page. This team needs things to change, and if a new coat of paint and some new pictures on the wall can make the Oilers feel more like a team, then great. To me it shows that Eakins is a "Doer." Rather than just talk about things, he does things. I think it is a good change of leadership.

POTENTIAL LINEUP FOR CANUCKS...

The Oilers announced another round of cuts, none of which were a surprise. The following players were assigned to the AHL.

Goalies Bunz and Roy.

Forwards Ewanyk, Ford, Fyten, Nesbitt and Stretch.

D-men Gernat, Musil and Leach.

The Oilers need a young goalie of the future, because Bunz and Roy are a long way, if ever, from playing in the NHL.

It will be interesting to see if Ewanyk stays in OKC, or possibly gets sent back to junior to play with the Edmonton Oil Kings.

Musil needs to get quicker, and Gernat needs to be more dedicated in the off-season if he plans on ever taking a run at an NHL job.

I'm not a fan of the NHL's decision to ban players from tucking in their jerseys. This is not a safety issue, it is a potential money issue. The only reason they decided to do this was to open a spot for potential adverstising on jerseys. Either way, I'm not a fan of it.

One of Canada's most versatile sports personalities. Jason hosts The Jason Gregor Show, weekdays from 2 to 6 p.m., on TSN 1260, and he writes a column every Monday in the Edmonton Journal. You can follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/JasonGregor

Jason where do you see J.Khahari ending up? Everett or is he eligible for OKC? His play certain has raised his stock. If I had my druthers I would keep Omark as my 13th forward and Fedun as my 7-8 defencmen.

What are the ratios that you need to have in OKC Jason. How many vets do they have to carry? And do you see OKC as a long term viable minor league franchise? The tornado's put a real kibosh on the economics of the area last year and I would think this season the season ticket numbers would be even poorer. I just don't see OKC in the future much past this season.

I think it's smart for them to keep Nurse up just a little bit longer to show him what it's kind of like to play as a professional, I bet they'll send him down pretty soon but it's good he gets the exposure.

And I'm sorry, every time I read Nesbitt I can't help but think of the Toy Story scene with Buzz.

Each year there seems to be someone that sticks out above the rest not currently on parent club or expected to make this years squad . Nurse looks like that player this year ,if last game was any indicator . Most of others are not living up to their hype . We'll soon see if Belov can . We are noticeably not a very physical looking team once again . Being this way has not helped us in the past and I doubt into the future .

I remember a while (years?) ago when guys like Quick,Wes,Madjam,Spyder and others long time posters were actually quite positive and optimistic about The Oilers. Even DSF was less cagey.

But that's what cheering for this team does to you. It grinds you down until you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel and I can hardly blame them for pointing out again & again the spectacular ineptitude of The Oilers management.

I wonder when I'll start to be a Debbie Downer too? This season is really make or break for me in that regard.

I was pretty down when it was Tambellini running things. I just couldn't see the team getting anywhere with him at the helm. I have been a Lowe apologist because the guy has done some savvy things. Tambellini was pretty useless IMO.

So now that we have a new GM, I am allowing EVEN MORE optimism to creep into my thinking. I won't throw in the towel EVER... but I am an Oilers nut.

I think we see some serious entertainment this year, and many more numbers in the "W" column. GO OILERS!!!